Montevideo

Montevideo stretches along the northern shore of the Río de la Plata, where wide boulevards, old plazas, and urban beaches sit together without much fuss. The port is a short taxi ride from Avenida 18 de Julio, the main commercial street lined with neoclassical buildings and cafés. The Ciudad Vieja, the old town, has cobbled streets, antique shops, and art galleries. La Rambla, the waterfront promenade, runs for miles and is used by joggers, cyclists, and families at all hours. Mercado del Puerto is the essential stop for meat. Parrilladas here grill asado, chorizo, and morcilla over open flame, paired with medio y medio, a local sparkling wine cocktail. A chivito, Uruguay's steak sandwich loaded with ham, cheese, and egg, is another good order. The Solís Theatre and Palacio Salvo give a sense of the city's early 20th-century ambitions. Leather goods, hand-knit woolens, and amethyst stones turn up in the shops and weekend street fairs. Taxis are metered and safe.